The 2022 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their second season under head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini compiled an 8–5 record (5–4 in conference games), tied for second place in the Big Ten's West Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 315 to 166.
Junior running back Chase Brown led the team in rushing (1,643 rushing yards on 328 carries) and scoring (13 touchdowns, 78 points scored). He also had 27 receptions for 240 yards. The team's other statistical leaders included senior quarterback Tommy DeVito (2,650 passing yards, 69.6% completion percentage), wide receiver Isaiah Williams (82 receptions for 715 yards), and linebacker Isaac Darkangelo (71 total tackles). Defensive back Devon Witherspoon was a consensus All-American, and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski won first-team honors from The Sporting News. For the first time since 2011, the Fighting Illini were ranked in the Top 25, which they were ranked in Week 6. On October 29, the Illini clinched a winning record for the first time since 2011.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Schedule Illinois announced its 2022 football schedule on January 12, 2022. The 2022 schedule consists of seven home games and five away games in the regular season. The Fighting Illini will host Big Ten foes Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Purdue and will travel to Indiana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Northwestern. The Fighting Illini will host all three of their non-conference opponents, Wyoming from the Mountain West, Virginia from ACC, and Chattanooga from Division I FCS.
Game summaries
Wyoming
At Indiana
Virginia
No. 10 (FCS) Chattanooga
At Wisconsin
Iowa
Source: Box Score
Illinois won for the first time in nine tries in the series since the two teams became part of the Big Ten West. It was also former Iowa player and coach Bret Bielema's first game at Illinois against Iowa, as he missed the 2021 meeting due to issues relating to COVID-19.
Statistics IOWAILL First downs 13 18 Total yards 221 316 Rushing yards 52 200 Passing yards 169 116 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 28:55 31:05
Team Category Player StatisticsIowa Passing Spencer Petras 18/36, 169 yards, INT Rushing Leshon Williams 7 carries, 32 yards Receiving Sam LaPorta 9 receptions, 100 yardsIllinois Passing Artur Sitkowski 13/19, 74 yards, INT Rushing Chase Brown 31 carries, 146 yards Receiving Brian Hightower 5 receptions, 68 yards
Minnesota
At Nebraska
Statistics ILL NEB First downs 18 9 Total yards 367 248 Rushes/yards 48–188 25–60 Passing yards 179 188 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–22–0 11–24–3 Time of possession 38:13 21:47 Team Category Player StatisticsIllinois Passing Tommy DeVito 20/22, 179 yards, 2 TD Rushing Chase Brown 32 carries, 149 yards, TD Receiving Isaiah Williams 9 receptions, 93 yards, TDNebraska Passing Casey Thompson 7/15, 172 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Anthony Grant 12 carries, 61 yards Receiving Travis Vokolek 1 reception, 56 yards, TD
Michigan State
Purdue
At No. 3 Michigan
Sources:
At Northwestern
Vs. No. 22 Mississippi State (ReliaQuest Bowl)
Rankings
Roster
Coaching staff Bret BielemaHead coach2ndRyan WaltersDefensive coordinator2ndBarry Lunney Jr.Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach1stGeorge McDonaldWide receivers Coach / assistant head coach2ndKevin KaneOutside linebackers Coach / associate head coach2ndBart MillerOffensive line coach2ndAndy BuhLinebackers coach2ndTerrance JamisonDefensive line coach2ndAaron HenryDefensive backs coach2ndBen MillerTight ends coach/special teams coordinator2ndCory PattersonRunning backs coach5th
References